Methods and apparatus for automated communications forwarding

ABSTRACT

Methods and apparatus for the automated updating of forwarding preferences for communications in a telecommunications network. In one embodiment, the network includes a wireless (e.g., cellular) network with user mobile user devices configured to detect a change to their configuration (such as a user changing out SIM cards or virtual access clients). In response, the device causes an update to its associated communication forwarding preferences to reflect the change. If the configuration alteration meets certain criteria (e.g., changes the phone number at which the device may be reached), the device sends a forwarding message instructing a network entity (e.g., routing server) to direct communications addressed to the old phone number to the new phone number. Thus, a user with two or more user profiles (such as two different carrier accounts) may be reached at any number associated with any of the profiles, even if only one profile is currently active.

COPYRIGHT

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains materialthat is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has noobjection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent documentor the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and TrademarkOffice patent files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyrightrights whatsoever.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates generally to the field oftelecommunications. More particularly, in one exemplary aspect, thepresent invention is directed to methods and apparatus for implementingautomated forwarding of communications across multiple profiles over oneor more telecommunications networks.

2. Description of Related Technology

Call forwarding is a system in which calls directed to one number areinstead directed to a second. This allows users of call forwarding tomaintain multiple phone numbers all of which may be answered at a singlenumber. Thus, it becomes simple to manage multiple numbers with a singledevice or subscriber line.

Instead of maintaining a local switchboard to ensure that all calls toany of the forwarded numbers are properly directed, the switching ishandled by the existing infrastructure of the telecommunicationsprovider. Thus, a user that does not wish to maintain in-house (or ondevice) switching capabilities may still take advantage of the benefitsof call forwarding. Forwarding may be applied in virtually all telephoneand messaging technologies including mobile systems.

In the related field of mobile telecommunications, current mobiletechnologies make use of subscriber identity modules (SIMs) to storeprofiles and other configuration information. These SIMs are typicallyembodied in a card-like form factor, and allow users to reconfigurephones quickly. Insertion of different SIM cards even allows a user toswitch among different mobile carriers. Often, all that is required toswitch carriers is that the user power off the device, replace the SIMcard, and power on the device. A single mobile device may behaveentirely differently depending on the SIM card that is active in thedevice. Using different SIM cards a device may connect to differentmobile carriers, and answer to calls to different phone numbers. Thus,as user maintaining multiple SIM cards may answer calls from multiplenumbers on a single device by changing the active SIM card in the mobiledevice.

In some cases, a caller may be trying to contact a mobile user, but thenumber the caller is contacting may not currently be active. Forexample, the mobile user may have a SIM card associated with a secondnumber active in his mobile device, while the SIM card associated withthe number that the caller is attempting to contact is removed orinactive. In this case (and others), the caller's communication (e.g.voice call, SMS, MMS, etc.) is not directed through to the mobile user.A user may switch between two or more active numbers regularly, but mayalso wish to have some or all communications directed to any of themultiple numbers associated with the respective different SIM cardsforwarded to the (then) active number.

Currently, upon switching SIM a user must manually setup callforwarding, inform their contacts that their active number has changed,or rely on the foreknowledge of their contacts to predict when suchchanges will happen. This is impractical given that a user may maintainlarge groups of likely contacts and may switch SIM cards multiple timesin a given day. Thus, there is a salient need for methods and systemsfor automated identification of such number switching events to enablereliable and automatic forwarding of communications to an active number.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention addresses the foregoing needs by disclosing, interalia, apparatus and methods for automated communications forwardingwithin telecommunications networks.

In a first aspect of the present invention, a mobile device for use inone or more telecommunications networks is disclosed. In one embodiment,the mobile device includes: (i) a storage entity configured to store anetwork profile associated with the device; (ii) a wireless interface,and (iii) a processing entity in data communication with the storageentity and the wireless interface. The processing entity includes aplurality of instructions configured to, when executed: (i) detect achange in an operational status of the mobile device; and (ii) inresponse to the detection, send a message to a forwarding server, themessage configured to cause the forwarding server to forwardcommunications addressed to a first number to a second number associatedwith the network profile.

In a second aspect of the present invention, a method of managingcommunications forwarding in a telecommunications network is disclosed.In one embodiment, the method includes: (i) receiving an indication of anetwork configuration change for a wireless device, the networkconfiguration change including changing a phone number of the wirelessdevice from a first number to a second number, and (ii) based at leastin part on the indication, transmitting forwarding instructions to aserver entity of the network, the instructions causing one or morecommunications directed to the first number to be redirected to thesecond number.

In a third aspect of the present invention, a network server apparatusfor use in direction of communications signals among a plurality ofmobile devices is disclosed. In one embodiment, the network serverapparatus includes: (i) a network interface configured to receive atleast indications of status changes from the plurality of mobiledevices, (ii) a storage device configured to store a plurality of userpreferences, and (iii) a processing device configured to run at leastone computer program thereon. The at least one computer program includesa plurality of instructions configured to, when executed: (i) determineif one or more of the indications of status change include a request tochange an active phone number associated with one individual one of theplurality of mobile devices, and (ii) in response to the determination,cause communication signals to be forwarded to the active numberassociated with the one individual one of the plurality of mobiledevices.

In a fourth aspect of the invention, a system for managingcommunications forwarding in a telecommunications network is disclosed.In one embodiment, the system includes: (i) a plurality of user devices,(ii) a network server, and (iii) a forwarding server. The plurality ofuser devices each include a network interface configured to: (i) sendindications of configurations changes, the indications including thealteration of respective network profiles associated with respectiveindividual ones of the plurality of user devices, and (ii) transmitupdated forwarding preferences to the network server. The network serverincludes a (i) network interface configured to: (a) receive theindications of configurations changes, (b) receive the updatedforwarding preferences, and (iii) transmit forwarding instructions tothe forwarding server, (ii) a storage entity configured to store theupdated forwarding preferences, and (iii) a processor configured to runa computer program. The computer program includes a plurality ofinstructions configured to, when executed: based on at least the updatedpreferences and the indications of configuration changes, determine thecontent of the forwarding instructions. The forwarding server includes a(i) network interface configured to receive the forwarding instructions,and (ii) a routing device to forward communications based at least inpart on the forwarding instructions.

In a fifth aspect of the invention, a non-transitory computer readablemedium is disclosed. In one embodiment, the computer readable medium isconfigured to store a computer program. The computer program includes aplurality of instructions configured to, when executed: (i) determine ifa network profile change associated with a user device has occurred, thenetwork profile change including (a) activation of a first number and(b) deactivation of a second number, and (ii) based at least in part onthe determination, cause the transmission of a forwarding request to aforwarding server, the request including instructions to forwardcommunications addressed to the second number to the first number.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will immediatelybe recognized by persons of ordinary skill in the art with reference tothe attached drawings and detailed description of exemplary embodimentsas given below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 a is functional block diagram of one exemplary embodiment of anetwork architecture consistent with the present invention.

FIG. 1 b is functional block diagram of a second exemplary embodiment ofa network architecture consistent with the present invention, wherein aintermediary network server is utilized.

FIG. 2 is a logical flow diagram illustrating one embodiment of ageneralized method for automated communications forwarding according tothe invention.

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram illustrating one embodiment of adevice configured to initiate automated communications forwarding, inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram illustrating one embodiment of anetwork server configured to initiate automated communicationsforwarding, in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a logical flow diagram illustrating an exemplary callforwarding update process according to one embodiment of the invention,in the context of a user device having access to two (2) differentcarriers.

All Figures © Copyright 2012 Apple, Inc. All rights reserved.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference is now made to the drawings, wherein like numerals refer tolike parts throughout.

Overview

As indicated above, there is a need for methods and apparatus forautomated forwarding of communications directed to various numbersassociated with a wireless mobile device user to an active number.

Accordingly, one aspect of the present invention, mechanisms for suchautomated forwarding are provided. In one embodiment, a mobile devicedetects a request to change configuration profiles. In response, thedevice updates its associated forwarding preferences to reflect thechange. In one implementation, the request for a configuration profilechange includes replacing a SIM card in the phone with a new SIM card,or alternatively a new electronic access client (e.g., eSIM) withanother. If this action changes the phone number at which the mobiledevice may be reached, the mobile device sends a forwarding messageinstructing a routing server to direct communications addressed to theold phone number to the new phone number. Thus, a user with two or moreprofiles may be reached at any number associated with any of theprofiles, even if only one profile is currently active.

In some embodiments, the forwarding message is transmitted along withother network protocol messages using extant infrastructure andresources. Thus, the call forwarding functionality is integrated intothe base functions of the network. In one variant, a baseband processorof the mobile device detects that the mobile device is about to undergoa profile change (e.g. SIM card removed and replaced during operation).The baseband processor sends a forwarding request to its previousnetwork to forward all calls to the device's previous phone to the newnetwork and new phone number indicated by the impending profile change.The baseband then switches active profiles. Phone calls to the previousnumber are now forwarded to the new number. In other embodiments, themessages are handled at higher layers. In one variant, the message issent by a program running at the application layer of the phone. If theprogram detects a change in the network profile of the phone, theprogram sends an update message to a forwarding server. The message maybe sent for example via an Internet protocol (IP) transport modality, orvia another communication system (e.g. SMS, etc.).

In another aspect of the invention, the forwarding update is performedby a network server. In one implementation of the forwarding update, anetwork server or other entity detects the activation of a profile thatit manages or monitors. In response to that detection, the server sendsout messages to other servers associated with a prescribed group ofother profiles. These messages instruct the other servers to forwardcommunications directed to the profiles in the group to the newlyactivated profile. The group of profiles is contained in one variant ina set of preferences stored on the network server and input by the user.Similar sets of preferences are stored on the servers associated withthe other profiles in the group, which may be associated with a commonor different service provider(s). Thus, when any one profile isactivated, the forwarding preferences of the other profiles are updated.

Detailed Description of Exemplary Embodiments

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are now described indetail. While these embodiments are primarily discussed in the contextof cellular telecommunications networks, the general principles andadvantages of the invention may be extended to other types oftelecommunication networks, whether wireline or wireless, including forexample wireless LAN (WLAN) or WMAN networks.

Exemplary Network Architecture

FIG. 1 a shows a functional block diagram of one exemplary embodiment ofa network architecture 100 consistent with the present invention. Thearchitecture includes a network communications medium 101, a user device102, a network forwarding server 106, and a wireless base station 110.The forwarding server directs communications routing on the carriernetwork 112. The communication medium in this example is a cellularnetwork (e.g., Long Term Evolution (LTE) and LTE-Advanced (LTE-A),Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), General Packet RadioService (GPRS), Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE), UniversalMobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), High Speed Packet Access(HSPA), Interim Standard 95 (IS-95), Code Division Multiple Access1Xtreme (CDMA-1X), CDMA-2000, etc.), although it will be appreciatedthat other types of networks may be used consistent with the invention,including for instance the aforementioned WMANs and WLANs. Moreover, theinvention contemplates hybrid network configurations, such as viacircuit-switched PSTNs or the like communicating with packet-switchedtelephony networks via e.g., a gateway. For instance, a PSTN(“landline”) user may call a first number of a mobile user, and beredirected or forwarded to another mobile number. Further, the followingmethod and apparatus described hereinafter may be applied in wirelinenetworks in which a device may have its number changed with relativefrequency/ease (e.g. IP telephony).

As used herein, the terms “user device” or “mobile device” include, butare not limited to, any telephony-enabled device such as a cellularphone, smartphone, tablet computer, or the like.

In operation of the architecture, of FIG. 1 b, the user device 102detects changes in its configuration (such as e.g., via swapping out ofSIM cards), and then using one or more forwarding preferences, generatesone or more forwarding instruction messages 104. The generatedinstruction messages 104 are then sent from the device 102 to acommunications forwarding server 106 via data-traffic over the cellularnetwork. The forwarding server directs communications in accordance withthe forwarding messages on is associated carrier network 112.

A second exemplary embodiment of a network architecture is shown in FIG.1 b. In this second architecture 150, one or more of the actionsinvolved in detecting the configuration change in the device 102,generating the forwarding instructions 104, and transmitting theforwarding instructions to the forwarding server 106 are performed by anetwork server 108. The network server 108 enables network sidemanagement of forwarding profiles and preferences. Thus, alleviating theneed for the mobile device to store and manage these profiles andpreference locally. For example, the network server may manageforwarding preferences for groups of associated numbers. Furthermore, insome such embodiments the network server facilitates transmission offorwarding messages 104 at the application layer of the mobile device(e.g. via SMS, IP, or other mobile data traffic, etc.). In light of thisdisclosure, it will be appreciated that in some variants some or all ofthe functions performed by the forwarding server 106 and the networkserver 108 may be performed by a single combined apparatus.

It will further be appreciated that while the foregoing architectures(and subsequently described methods) are primarily described in thecontext of physical form factor SIM or smart cards, the various aspectsof the invention are equally applicable to non-physical or virtualSIM-like entities, such as for example the exemplary virtual accessclients or “eSIMs” described in U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/109,851 filed May 17, 2011 and entitled “METHODS AND APPARATUS FORACCESS CONTROL CLIENT ASSISTED ROAMING” which is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety. For example, in one such implementation, auser device (e.g., smartphone) is equipped with (or obtains) multipleelectronic access clients for use on e.g., different wireless carriers,such as in different geographic regions. Upon switching access clients,the device (or network) detects the configuration change, and implementsthe forwarding policies as described infra.

Methods

FIG. 2 illustrates one embodiment of a generalized method 200 forautomated communications forwarding according to the invention. At step202, a change in configuration is detected or reported. In someembodiments, the configuration change is detected by the user device 102itself. In some cases, this involves a determination by the device thata SIM card has been replaced with a new SIM card. The device may detecta new SIM card by logging a change in the serial number or other uniqueidentifier of or associated with the active SIM card on the user device.Alternatively, the device may include a circuit to detect if a SIM cardis physically removed from the device, such as via a loss of electricalcontinuity, activation of a switch, etc. Certain SIM cards may haveinternal toolkit applications that can initiate a phone number change.The activation of such a toolkit may also cause the device to log aconfiguration change. Further, the mobile device may enter a roamingarea. Consistent with present invention, the device may treat entranceinto such a roaming mode as a configuration change to avoid incurringexcess charges on behalf the user. Then, the device 102 may perform acheck for further configuration changes to confirm that profileconfiguration changes have occurred, or proceed with the method 200.

In other cases, the device 102 monitors specific configuration details.For example, the device may detect a configuration change in the phonenumber at which it is configured to receive communications; a new phonenumber is indicative of a new SIM card. Alternatively, the device maymonitor the carrier to which it is connected, such as by reading acarrier ID on its active SIM card, a carrier identifier provide by thebase station to which it is connected, or by querying a lookup servicefor IP devices, etc. If the carrier changes, the device registers adetected change.

In the case of an eSIM, the mobile device maintains (or accesses via adata connection) multiple SIM profiles that are not necessarily tied toa physical card disposed on the mobile device. The functional equivalentof a physical SIM card replacement occurs by the user designating a neweSIM for activation. Further, in some cases, the activation of an eSIMprofile may occur without user intervention. For example, the mobiledevice may initiate a switch in eSIM profiles automatically (e.g.without a specific user request) upon entering a roaming area for acurrently active eSIM profile. In the context of the present invention,when the user or the device 102 initiates an eSIM profile change themobile device transmits a forwarding update message during the processof changing its active eSIM profile. In some variants, prior toperforming the change in active eSIM profile, the mobile devicemaintains connectivity using the previous eSIM file long enough totransmit the forwarding update message 104. This message includes thenumber to which communications are to be forwarded. This number mayinclude a stored value previously designated by the user, or this numbermay include the number associated with the new eSIM profile selected bythe user or mobile device upon initiation of the profile switch.Alternatively, in other variants, the forwarding message is transmittedafter the eSIM profile change has been completed.

In some implementations, the user automatically change eSIM profileson-the-fly using methods and architectures described in U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/109,851 filed May 17, 2011 and entitled “METHODSAND APPARATUS FOR ACCESS CONTROL CLIENT ASSISTED ROAMING” previouslyincorporated herein by reference. As discussed therein, a mobile devicemay switch between multiple access clients (e.g., eSIMs) stored on amobile device, where each eSIM contains a SIM configured to authenticatethe mobile device with a carrier network. Specifically, in one exemplaryembodiment, a mobile device detects a roaming condition, andresponsively (or anticipatorily) evaluates its available eSIMs. If atleast one eSIM is suitable for non-roaming operation with the currentnetwork, then the eSIM is loaded and the mobile device registers in itsnew home network.

In various embodiments, the eSIMs may be stored on remote modulesaccessed via data connection at the time of use based on processes andinfrastructure discussed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/093,722,filed Apr. 25, 2011 and entitled “APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR STORINGELECTRONIC ACCESS CLIENTS” being herein incorporated by reference in itsentirety. As described therein, a eUICC appliance is implemented withina Hardware Security Module (HSM). Each HSM can store a large number ofeSIMs to facilitate storage and distribution thereof, such as for retailservices. The described electronic universal integrated circuit card(eUICC) appliances first verify that their peer eUICC appliances areoperating according to an agreed upon and trusted protocol. If botheUICC appliances are in agreement, then, when the source eUICC appliancetransfers its eSIM, it will delete its eSIM (or otherwise render its owneSIM inactive). The destination eUICC appliance will retain the onlyactive eSIM.

In other embodiments, a network server 108 (FIG. 1 b) detects the changein device 102 configuration (step 202). Some embodiments entail a serverthat logs the registration of a device at the phone number that hadpreviously been inactive. This may occur, for example, when a userswitches out a SIM card with a new one, and then powers on a mobiledevice. The device connects to the carrier for which the SIM card isconfigured, and registers itself at the number associated with the SIMcard. For example, this may apply if the SIM card had been previouslyinactive (i.e. another SIM card was in the device, the device waspowered down for an extended period, or the device lost connectivity fora prolonged period). Thus, a detection of a configuration change can bebased on activation after a significant period of inactivity.

In some embodiments, deregistration of a previously active device 102may also be used to detect a configuration change (e.g. if a userremoves an active SIM card and the device no longer registers at thepervious phone number). Upon detection of a deregistration event, theserver 108 looks up forwarding information for the deregistered number.In some variants, the server enforces a delay before setting upforwarding information to ensure that the deregistration was not due toan unintentional (or temporary) loss of service (dead zones,interference, or other service outage, or accidental or temporaryremoval of the SIM).

In yet other embodiments, the server 108 must detect both a registrationand a deregistration before forwarding will be invoked. In these cases,the server does not update forwarding information unless a combination(and/or proper sequence) of events occurs. When the server determinesthat a number has been deregistered, the server waits to confirm thatanother number is activated in response. If these numbers correspond toa pair that are associated for forwarding purposes, the server logs aconfiguration change, and proceeds with the method 200. Conversely, ifthe server 108 determines that a previously inactive number has beenregistered, the server waits to confirm that a second number (formingthe pair for forwarding) has been deregistered. In some variants, theserver actively confirms that status of a second number. For example, ifa number is registered (or deregistered), the server may send a query todetermine the registration status of a number (or numbers) thatcorresponds to a pair for forwarding purposes.

In some embodiments the mobile device comprises a phone capable ofmultimode operation, and may have varying phone numbers associated witheach of the multiple modes. For example the mobile device may be capableof operation on GSM, WCDMA, LTE, and CDMA networks and may switchbetween associated accounts/profiles to obtain optimal service. In thisexample, such service changes may register as configuration changes witheither the mobile device or the server consistent with the presentinvention.

Following detection of a configuration change, the forwardingpreferences are determined (step 204). In some embodiments, a list ofpreferences for communications forwarding is stored on the user device102. In some cases, the user device references the list of preferencesagainst the detected configuration change. For example, if the device102 has detected a change (or impending change) in the phone number atwhich it is registered, the device determines if one (or both) of thenumbers involved in the change have associated forwarding preferences.The device then compiles a sublist of preferences pertaining to thedetails of the change for transmission to a forwarding server 106. Inother variants, in response to a change in configuration, the deviceforwards its complete list of preferences to the forwarding server andany details the device has collected pertaining to the configurationchange. In these variants, the forwarding server 106 determines theappropriate forwarding action based on the provided list and the detailsof the configuration change.

In other embodiments, the forwarding server 106 maintains the preferencelist. In one implementation, the forwarding server receives detailsregarding a configuration change from the device. The forwarding server106 may receive a request from the device to enact (or alter) forwardingsettings, but the device may not provide specific details along with therequest. The forwarding server 106 then reviews the configuration changeor forwarding request against the list of preferences.

In certain embodiments in which the network server 108 maintains thepreference list, the server 108 also detects the configuration change.In these cases, the server may act without a prompt being transmittedfrom the device. Once the configuration change is detected by the server108, the server references the details of the change versus thepreferences list. This approach advantageously removes the user devicefrom any processing or detection burden; i.e., the server 108 maintainsthe forwarding preferences, detects the change, evaluates the change,and implements any necessary forwarding policies seamlessly and withuser device (or user) intervention.

The exemplary preferences list includes a list of numbers from which toforward communications to a given number under a given set ofcircumstances. These circumstances may include for instance requirementsthat a number be inactive before communications directed to that numberare forwarded to a designated target. Similarly, the preferences maystipulate that a target forwarding number be active beforecommunications are forwarded to it. Further, requirements may beenforced that e.g., only allow forwarding at specific times (e.g.certain hours of the day, or days of the week, etc) and/or underspecific circumstances. A complimentary requirement may designate twonumbers for which the forwarding relationship is automatically reversedat specific times, or depending on the location of the device. Forexample, communications may be automatically forwarded to a “work”number during business hours, and forwarded to a “personal” number atother times.

Preferences may also differ based on the source of the communication.For example, parents may often prefer to receive communications fromtheir children even if they are currently at work, but the sameindividual may only want to receive work communications from importantcustomers after business hours. Thus, consistent with one implementationof the present invention, preferences may also designate forwardingbased on source.

In some embodiments, only sources explicitly designated for forwardingare forwarded. In these embodiments, a “white list” of sources (e.g.phone numbers, email addresses, instant messaging accounts, Skype®accounts) to forward is maintained in the preferences list;communications originating from other sources are directed to theirinitially designated targets.

In some variants, more detailed rules may be implemented. For example,some communications may be forwarded (or not forwarded) depending on thesource and the active number or inactive number(s). For example, callsto a personal account from friends are not forwarded to a work account,but calls from the same friends are forwarded to the personal account ifthey were directed to a currently inactive work number.

It can also be appreciated in light of this disclosure, that a “blacklist” of numbers may be directed to inactive numbers or to a singlenumber. Thus, in one particular implementation, a user is able to screenor review communications from such individuals without being directlyaccessible at any time.

Referring again to FIG. 2, at step 206, a message or other signalingdetailing the forwarding instructions 104 is transmitted from thenetwork server 108 to a forwarding server 106. The forwardinginstructions 104 include at least enough detail to ensure that theforwarding server behaves in accordance with the forwarding preferences.It will be appreciated that the message(s) need not necessarilythemselves carry an “instructions” per se; for instance, in one variant,the instructions merely include an identifier or other data identifyinga set of stored forwarding rules or policies resident at the server (oranother entity accessible to the server). This can even be keyed off anextant identifier of the phone or user (e.g., by knowing the identity ofthe phone or the user to which it is registered, the server can merelyreceive a “flag” or other indicator from the phone that a change hasoccurred for that phone/user, and implement the pre-stored policiesaccordingly).

The forwarding server then directs communications according to theinstructions (or identifier/flag). In some cases, multiple messages 104to one or more forwarding servers 106 may be transmitted. This is oftenthe case when the forwarding preferences for more than one number mustbe updated, or when the different updated numbers are administered bymore than one carrier. These multiple forwarding servers 106 may bewithin the same carrier's network, or alternatively in differentnetworks. In the latter case, as described in greater detailsubsequently herein, the forwarding message 104 can be sent via aubiquitous or common transport modality to each of the disparatecarriers, such as e.g., via TCP/IP transport.

In some embodiments, the user device 102 itself transmits the forwardingmessage 104 to the forwarding server 106. In a number of theseembodiments, the device sends these messages at base levels of thenetwork protocol stack, such as messages sent to the forwarding server106 from processes running on a baseband processor of the mobile device.For example, 3GPP and 3GPP2 have defined messages that may be sent forthe purposes of updating forwarding information on call routing servers.In this process, the baseband processor of the mobile device detects animpending configuration change (e.g. a SIM card has been removed orreplaced, or a new eSIM profile has been selected, etc.). In the processof executing the profile change, the baseband processor transmits aforwarding message to the forwarding server. Thus, in these embodimentsthe forwarding updates are initiated below the application layer of themobile device.

In some such embodiments, the forwarding message 104 is sent before thedevice updates its connectivity configuration. In some systems, a devicemay not be able to transmit a forwarding message once it has connectedto a new carrier. In these eases, the old profile active on the mobiledevice is maintained for sometime after the profile change process hasbe initiated. To accomplish this, the old profile persists in the mobiledevice memory long enough to facilitate transfer of the forwardingmessage (including situations in which the physical SIM card isremoved). For example, mobile devices may be configured to perform bookkeeping operations after a SIM card is removed. Forwarding messages maybe transmitted during this period. Once the forwarding message istransferred, the mobile device ceases the old profile memory persistenceand proceeds with the profile change. Such embodiments may beimplemented, inter alia, on mobile devices that support “hot-swapping”of SIM, eSIM profiles, or SIM card with internal toolkit applications(i.e. capable of altering an active profile without a power-off orreset). Similarly if the configuration change comprises an automatedservice switch (e.g. as discussed above among GSM, WCDMA, LTE, or CDMA)or a switch upon entering a roaming area, the phone may complete theforward update before the switch is complete given that the device hasproper notice of the impending change. In some variants, upon initiationof a power-off or reset event, a provisional forwarding message may besent prior to execution of the power-off or reset (this message mayinclude a default or user specified forwarding number). This process maybe used to ensure that proper forwarding occurs even if the profilechange is initiated while the phone is powered off or in the process ofa reset. The provisional forwarding message may be cancelled oroverridden with a second message (once the mobile re-establishes itsconnection) if a configuration change did not occur during the power-offor reset event.

In other systems, forwarding updates may be handled through any carrier(e.g. forwarding handled at an IP layer, and/or different carrierssupport forwarding update message routing amongst themselves), and theforwarding updates may be handled either before or after the deviceenacts the configuration change. In yet other implementations,forwarding messages must be transmitted both before and after theconfiguration changes occur. In these systems, the settings related toboth the previously active number and newly active number are updated.When the forwarding servers 106 managing the different profiles have nomeans of synchronizing between each other, the device must provideupdates to both; otherwise, such synchronization mechanisms can be used(if present) to obviate at least some of the otherwise necessarymultiple updates.

In others embodiments in which the device 102 transmits the forwardingmessage, the forwarding is handled by higher level (e.g. applicationlayer) processes. In these embodiments, the forwarding messages may usea variety of transmission means. For example, the forwarding messages104 may be sent over data connections (e.g. IP transports) or throughSMS text messaging. Thus, such forwarding management applicationsrunning in the application layer may advantageously be widely compatiblewith different hardware and networks. These widely compatibletransmissions allow the device to send forwarding messages fromvirtually any carrier network to any other.

As discussed previously with respect to FIG. 1 b, the transmission ofthe forwarding instruction message is handled in certain implementationsby a network server 108. The network server transmits the forwardingmessage to the forwarding server 106 over any of various interfacesavailable to the server 108. In the case of a combined forwarding server106 and network server 108, the combined apparatus may involve a serverrunning applications or processes that perform the functions of both thereceiving and forwarding servers.

At step 208 of the method 200, the forwarding server updates theforwarding settings for the profile(s), and communications (voice, SMS,MMS, etc) are subsequently forwarded accordingly.

Exemplary User Device

Referring now to FIG. 3, an exemplary embodiment of a user device 102configured to implement the methods of the present invention isillustrated.

The user device 102 includes a processor subsystem 302 such as a digitalsignal processor, microprocessor, field-programmable gate array, orplurality of processing components mounted on one or more substrates.The processing subsystem may also include an internal cache memory. Theprocessing subsystem 302 is connected to a memory subsystem 304including memory which may for example, include SRAM, flash and SDRAMcomponents. The memory subsystem may also include one or more smart card(i.e. SIM, USIM, etc.) bays, and/or be configured to store one or morevirtual access clients (e.g., eSIM profiles) of the type previouslydescribed. The memory subsystem may implement one or a more of DMA typehardware, so as to facilitate data accesses as is well known in the art.The processor is configured to, inter alia, execute computer-readableinstructions that are stored within the memory subsystem.

In one exemplary embodiment, the memory subsystem 304 includes a set offorwarding preferences, where the forwarding preferences detail theforwarding behaviors/policies to be enforced for the different profilesof the device 102.

Moreover, the processor subsystem may further include a rules engine(e.g., logic or software process), where the rules engine is configuredto detect when a configuration change has occurred within the device(based on monitoring one or more settings, or alternatively, based onthe detection of a smart card (or eSIM profile) change), and select anappropriate one of multiple rules or policies based on e.g., user- ornetwork-supplied preferences, or yet other considerations. For example,in one variant, the rules engine is configured to determine one or morerelevant parameters (e.g., time of day, user device location (such asvia a GPS receiver), user “context” (e.g., at work, at home, traveling,etc.)) and based on logic in the rules engine algorithms, select one ormore appropriate forwarding policies for inclusion in the message(s)sent to the server(s) 106, 108. Alternatively, various other alternativeconfigurations may be used, such as where: (i) the rules engine residenton the user device 102 identifies an appropriate policy or rule set, andforwards its decision/recommendation to a network entity (e.g., server106, 108); or (ii) the rules engine is resident on the network entity,and the user device forwards any constituent information necessary(e.g., GPS coordinates, user-supplied use context, etc.) to the networkentity so as to permit the rules engine to select the appropriate policyor rule set.

The rules engine (where used) may also be configured to evaluate ordecide based at least partly on network operational or businessconsiderations such as e.g., available resources, profitability, usersubscription level, etc. For instance, in one such variant, the user'ssubscription level is consulted to determine what forwardingoptions/features are available to them; ostensibly, a higher or morefully-featured subscription will provide the user with additionaloptions or capabilities not present at the lower levels, such as e.g.,“stealth mode” or Caller ID for incoming calls to be forwarded.

In addition, the processor subsystem 302 of the apparatus 300 of FIG. 3may further run a management application to receive updated preferenceinformation for communications forwarding from the user of the device.If the preferences are maintained on the device 102, the updates areadded to the preferences stored in the memory subsystem 304. Otherwise,the updates are transmitted to the network server 108 that maintains thecommunications forwarding preference list.

In some embodiments, the network interface 306 may include a radiomodem. The radio modem generally includes a digital baseband, analogbaseband, TX frontend and RX frontend. The user device 102 furtherincludes an antenna assembly that includes a plurality of switches forenabling various antenna operational modes, such as for specificfrequency ranges, or specified time slots. In certain embodiments, somecomponents may be obviated or may otherwise be merged with one anotheras would be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art given thepresent disclosure. In one exemplary embodiment, the radio/modemsubsystem is configured to, inter alia, transmit and receive radiofrequency (RF) in compliance with multiple cellular standards (i.e. GSM,CDMA, WCDMA, LTE). The radio modem may be configured to switch betweenthese services for optimal service, and transmit correspondingcommunications update messages. In various other embodiments, the mobiledevice may support these or other common cellular network standardspreviously referenced herein.

The illustrated power management subsystem (PMS) 308 provides power tothe apparatus, and may include an integrated circuit and or a pluralityof discrete electrical components. In one exemplary portable mobiledevice implementation of the apparatus, the power management subsystem308 interfaces with a battery.

In certain embodiments of the user device 102, a user interface system310 may be provided. A user interface may include any number ofwell-known I/O including, without limitation: a keypad, touch screen or“multi-touch” screen, LCD display, backlight, speaker, and microphone.However, it is recognized that in certain applications, one or more ofthese components may be obviated. For example, PCMCIA card type mobiledevice embodiments may lack a user interface (as they could piggybackonto the user interface of the device to which they are physicallyand/or electrically coupled).

The apparatus 102 may further include optional additional peripheralsincluding, without limitation, one or more GPS transceivers, or networkinterfaces such as IrDA ports, Bluetooth transceivers, Wi-Fi (IEEE Std.802.11) transceivers, WiMAX (IEEE Std. 802.16e) transceivers, USB (e.g.,USB 2.0, USB 3.0, Wireless USB, etc.), Fire Wire, Thunderbolt, etc. Itis however recognized that these components or interfaces are notnecessary for operation of the user device 102 in accordance with theprinciples of the present invention.

Exemplary Network Server

Referring now to FIG. 4, an exemplary embodiment of a network server(such as e.g., the network server 108 of FIG. 1 b discussed supra) forimplementing the methods of the present invention is illustrated anddescribed.

The network server includes a processor 402 running applicationsthereon. The processor may include various processing elements (e.g.digital signal processors (DSPs), reduced instruction set computers(RISC), general-purpose (CISC) processors, microprocessors, gate arrays(e.g., FPGAs), PLDs, reconfigurable compute fabrics (RCFs), arrayprocessors, secure microprocessors, and application-specific integratedcircuits (ASICs), etc.). The processor is in data communication with amemory subsystem 404 and a network interface 406. The network interface406 may include any number of configurations or functionalities (e.g.Firewire, USB, Ethernet, 10-Gig-E, Thunderbolt, Serial ATA,Ultra-ATA/DMA) or optical interfaces, etc.). The memory subsystem 404includes multiple memory modalities to support fast memory applications(e.g. DRAM, SDRAM, DDR/2 SDRAM, EDO/FPMS, RLDRAM, SRAM) and storageapplications (e.g. computer hard drives, DVR device, memory, RAIDdevices or arrays, optical media, etc.).

The network server is in data communication, via the abovementionednetwork interfaces, with one or more wireless base stations 110 capableof maintaining connectivity to wireless mobile devices on a cellularnetwork (e.g. LTE LTE-A, GSM, GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, HSPA, IS-95, CDMA-1X,CDMA-2000, etc.). These base stations transmit forwarding updatemessages and other cellular traffic between the mobile devices and theother elements of the carrier network (including, for example, thenetwork server 108 and/or the forwarding server 106).

The processor 402 may run one or more applications that monitor, via thenetwork interface 406, the status of various profiles for devicesconnected to the network (e.g. device registration activity on a phonenumber). Thus, the network server 108 is capable of detecting eventrequiring an update in forwarding behaviors.

Upon detection of a configuration change, monitoring applications (inthe exemplary network-based configuration of FIG. 1 b) refer to thepreferences stored within the memory subsystem 404 (or otherwiseobtained from another network device, or even the user device itself),and determine if the preferences dictate a change in forwarding settingsbased on the details of the configuration change. If so, the networkserver compiles and transmits forwarding instruction message(s) 104 forthe forwarding server 106.

Example Operation 1

One exemplary method for the automated forwarding of communicationsconsistent with the present invention is applied in the context of amobile device connecting to multiple wireless carriers using multipleprofiles.

In this exemplary embodiment, a mobile user maintains a “work” profileon Carrier A, and a “personal” profile on Carrier B. The user switchesbetween the profiles (and carriers) by switching between SIM card A oreSIM (for Carrier A) and SIM card B or eSIM (for Carrier B) on a singlemobile device. Each of the profiles has an associated phone number(numbers A and B, respectively). The mobile device only connects to onecarrier at any given time.

Referring now to FIG. 5, a logical flow diagram of an exemplaryembodiment of the process 500 of automated call forwarding updating inresponse to a profile change is shown. When the user switches from SIMcard A to SIM card B (step 502), the baseband processor in the mobiledevice detects the impending change (step 504). At step 506, the mobiledevice first sends a call forwarding update message to a server incontrol of call routing on Carrier A. The call forwarding update messageinstructs the server to forward all calls for number A to number B onCarrier B (step 508). Then at step 510, the mobile device disconnectsfrom Carrier A, updates its own settings for compatibility with Carrier,connects to Carrier B, and registers at phone number B (step 512). Theforwarding server of Carrier A the calls it receives for phone A tophone number B (step 514).

Similarly, when switching from SIM card B to SIM card A, the processesis reversed for Carriers B and A.

Thus, consistent with the present invention, the user may be reached oneither of the two numbers regardless of which account is currentlyactive on the mobile device.

Example Operation 2

In a second exemplary operational scenario, call forwarding updates aremanaged by the network rather than the mobile device. A user maintainsone or more call forwarding preferences as a part of a profile (ormultiple profiles associated with the same user or device) on a callmanagement server. The call forwarding preferences include in oneimplementation a list of numbers that are designated for callforwarding. In this case, the call management server sends messages toother call management servers indicating that some or all calls to thenumbers on the list should be forwarded to a currently active numberwhen the calls are initially directed to an inactive number. Thus, theuser may maintain any number of phone numbers for which only one isactive at any given time.

In this case, the user limits the calls that are forwarded by specifyingrules for forwarding. The call forwarding preferences in this exampleidentify a first group of phone numbers associated with work. Calls fromthese numbers are never forwarded. The call management server directsthese numbers to voicemail if the user's currently active number doesnot match the number dialed. The call forwarding preferences alsoidentify a second group of phone numbers associated with e.g., friends.Calls from these numbers are forwarded unless the active number isdesignated as the user's work number. A family group is also identifiedby the call forwarding preferences; calls from this group are alwaysforwarded to the active number regardless of which number on theforwarding list was initially dialed.

Thus, consistent with the present invention, the network (or morespecifically a network server) may handle call forwarding preferences.Further, the user may increase his/her ability to be reached withoutnecessarily extending this increased availability to all partiesattempting to contact the user.

It will be recognized that while certain aspects of the invention aredescribed in terms of a specific sequence of steps of a method, thesedescriptions are only illustrative of the broader methods of theinvention, and may be modified as required by the particularapplication. Certain steps may be rendered unnecessary or optional undercertain circumstances. Additionally, certain steps or functionality maybe added to the disclosed embodiments, or the order of performance oftwo or more steps permuted. All such variations are considered to beencompassed within the invention disclosed and claimed herein.

While the above detailed description has shown, described, and pointedout novel features of the invention as applied to various embodiments,it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions, and changesin the form and details of the device or process illustrated may be madeby those skilled in the art without departing from the invention. Theforegoing description is of the best mode presently contemplated ofcarrying out the invention. This description is in no way meant to belimiting, but rather should be taken as illustrative of the generalprinciples of the invention. The scope of the invention should bedetermined with reference to the claims.

1. A mobile device for use in one or more telecommunications networks,the mobile device comprising: a storage entity configured to store anetwork profile associated with the device; where the storage entity isfurther configured to store a list of preferences, the list ofpreferences comprising one or more communications forwarding rules for agroup of numbers; a wireless interface; and a processing entity in datacommunication with the storage entity and the wireless interface, theprocessing entity comprising a plurality of instructions configured to,when executed: detect a change in an operational status of the mobiledevice; and in response to the detection, send a message to a forwardingserver, the message configured to cause the forwarding server to forwardcommunications addressed to a first number to a second number associatedwith the network profile, based at least on the list of preferences. 2.(canceled)
 3. The mobile device of claim 1, wherein the communicationsforwarding rules require the first number to be inactive before themessage is sent.
 4. The mobile device of claim 1, wherein thecommunications forwarding rules require the second number to be activebefore the message is sent.
 5. The mobile device of claim 1, wherein thecommunications forwarding rules include a list of sources from whichcommunications addressed to the first number are to be forwarded to thesecond number.
 6. The mobile device of claim 5, wherein communicationsaddressed to the first number that originate from sources not includedon the list of sources are not forwarded to the second number.
 7. Themobile device of claim 1, wherein the change in an operational statuscomprises a registration of a smart card within the mobile device. 8.The mobile device of claim 1, wherein: the storage entity is furtherconfigured to store one or more electronic subscriber identity modules(eSIMs); and the detection of the change in the operational status ofthe mobile device comprises an activation of one or more of the eSIMs.9. The mobile device of claim 1, wherein the message comprises data sentover an Internet Protocol (IP) connection.
 10. The mobile device ofclaim 1, wherein the mobile device comprises a cellular device compliantwith one or more of a Long Term Evolution (LTE) or Long TermEvolution-Advanced (LTE-A) standard.
 11. The mobile device of claim 1,wherein the change in operational status comprises a change in acarrier.
 12. A method of managing communications forwarding in atelecommunications network, the method comprising: receiving anindication of a network configuration change for a wireless device, theindication of the network configuration change comprising a list ofpreferences; determining an appropriate forwarding action, theforwarding action comprising changing a phone number of the wirelessdevice from a first number to a second number, the determining based atleast in part on the list of preferences; and based at least in part onthe determination, transmitting forwarding instructions to a serverentity of the network, the instructions causing one or morecommunications directed to the first number to be redirected to thesecond number.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the receivingcomprises receiving an indication that a registration of a smart cardassociated with the second number has occurred.
 14. The method of claim12, wherein the forwarding instructions are based at least in part onthe list of preferences associated with at least the first and thesecond numbers.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the method furthercomprises: at sometime after the forwarding instructions are sent,receiving a second configuration change indication, the secondconfiguration change comprising changing the phone number of the mobiledevice from the second number to the first number; and based at least inpart on the second change indication, transmitting second forwardinginstructions to the server entity, the second instructions causing oneor more communications directed to the second number to be redirected tothe first number.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the list ofpreferences comprises: (i) a first list of sources from whichcommunications are forwarded when addressed to either of the first orsecond phone numbers, and (ii) a second list of sources from whichcommunications are only forwarded when addressed to the first number.17. The method of claim 12, wherein the forwarding instructions comprisedata sent over an Internet Protocol (IP) connection.
 18. A networkserver apparatus for use in direction of communications signals among aplurality of mobile devices; the network server apparatus comprising: anetwork interface configured to receive at least indications of statuschanges from the plurality of mobile devices; a storage deviceconfigured to store a plurality of user preferences, where the pluralityof user preferences comprises one or more call forwarding preferences;and a processing device configured to run at least one computer programthereon, the at least one computer program comprising a plurality ofinstructions configured to, when executed: determine if one or more ofthe indications of status change comprise a request to change an activephone number associated with one individual one of the plurality ofmobile devices; and in response to the determination, causecommunication signals to be forwarded to the active number associatedwith the one individual one of the plurality of mobile devices.
 19. Thenetwork server of claim 18, wherein the indications of status changescomprise a registration of the at least one individual one of theplurality of mobile devices at the active number.
 20. The network serverof claim 18, wherein the user preferences comprise a list of numbers forwhich communication signals addressed to those numbers are caused to beforwarded to the active number.
 21. The network server of claim 18,wherein the communications signals are caused to be forwarded by thenetwork server transmitting a forwarding message to a forwarding server.